Pros and Cons of Acne Laser Treatment

Acne is a common issue among teens and adults alike. It can greatly affect confidence and emotional well-being causing patients to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their skin.

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing acne and it is usually due to fluctuations in hormone levels which is why it is so common with teens during puberty. Adult acne however is just as common and often comes down to an excess in oil production and bacteria. Changes in your hormones encourage excess oil to be produced which is why puberty, stress, pregnancy and menstruation can all encourage acne to form.

The Private Clinic specialise in skin and their experienced skin practitioners will be able to help you decide on the best treatment plan for you to help you achieve clear and fresh looking skin.

Laser Acne Treatment

Laser Acne Treatment or n-lite as it is commonly referred to is a great way to help reduce the appearance of acne as it aims to treat the root cause of the problem by targeting the bacteria that is responsible for causing the flare ups and infections.

But what are the pros and cons of laser acne treatment?

Pros
Quick procedure time
Minimal pain
Targets acne causing bacteria
Is effective against acne scarring
High success rate with previous patients
No downtime
Can help to reduce inflammation and irregularities in skin tone
Can improve the texture and smoothness of your skin
Reduces oil production

Cons
More than one treatment is required
Price can pose a problem for some patients
It is currently not covered by insurance
You may find that it get worse before it gets better
Redness or swelling may be present after treatment but this will fade after a few hours in the majority of cases

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels are another great way to help reduce acne breakouts and there is a wide range of different variation of peel strengths to suit your skin. A chemical peel works by applying a chemical solution to the skin which penetrates deep into the skin and lifts dead and damaged skin off the surface of the skin.

Pros
No need for a prescription
Quick treatment
Can also help with skin texture, wrinkles and other blemishes on the skin
Different peels to suit all skin types
Can help to treat and control active acne
Overall skin appearance improved including hyperpigmentation and discolouration left behind by spots Depending on the strength used an uncomfortable stinging sensation may be felt
More effective and safer than ‘at-home’ chemical peels

Cons
More than one treatment is required to achieve the best results
It can cause skin sensitivity
You will be required to reduce exposure to sunlight and you will be required to wear sun cream
It can cause peeling
It can be expensive
It is currently not covered by insurance

LED Phototherapy for Acne

LED Phototherapy for acne is often performed alongside another treatment such as a chemical peel. It is a relatively new treatment that uses different wavelengths of LED to target various skin conditions such as acne. Blue light therapy has powerful anti-bacterial properties that decongest and purify acne and problem skin whilst helping to stabilise oil production.

Pros and Cons of LED Phototherapy treatment for acne

Pros
Quick treatment times lasting between 15-30 minutes
Suitable for all skin types
Effective on mild to moderate acne
Exposure to LED light is said to improve stress levels, headaches and migraines too
You may need to take medication before treatment to make your skin more sensitive to the light
Minimal side effects
May improve acne scarring
More powerful than at-home LED treatments
No downtime
Pain-free treatment

Cons
It requires regular weekly treatments
You will need to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment
You may need to stop using certain skin care products
It is not suitable for patients with severe acne
It can take a while and multiple treatments to start seeing results
It is currently not covered by insurance